Plasma or Wire

minicruiser · Post by **minicruiser** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:53 am

Can anyone tell me where i can find articles with the Pros & cons of Plasma over Wire. i would like to put it in club mag for new members.

skid · Post by **skid** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:59 am

look hard enough thru this site and you will find it

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules ... opic&t=511

needswork · Post by **needswork** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:25 pm

Take care, this is not an easy debate.
Both have advantages and disadvantages, for my money, stick with the wire rope that came with your winch, use it and learn its strengths and weaknesses, then after that and the wire rope needs replacing you are in a better position to judge which is the best option.
Wire is not better that Plasma or visa versa, they are different it is that simple, both have advantages and disadvantages depending on need. Plasma ropes became popular through trials and 4WD events and winch challenges as winching was used at almost every obstacle and plasma rope is easier and faster to wind up and store away, but for most wire rope is fine in most applications. Plasma needs to be carefully cared for, it has some stretch, and needs careful drying and storage afterwards, so in the event it all looks great, but you need to know that behind the scenes it requires high maintenance, and for trialists they often chuck plasma ropes between events.
Plasma is a high performance product suited to special circumstances, Wire is a better all round performer. Lots of Money, heaps of experience, done heaps of winching? Go Plasma, on an average budget, like me with basic skills, then stick to wire it is that simple really.

Sadam_Husain · Post by **Sadam_Husain** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:30 pm

having used both I'd never go back to a steel cable and the cost of synthetic is not that dear at +/- $10m depending on what rating you want

albundy · Post by **albundy** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:39 pm

The other advantage of plasma ( I am told) is that if it breaks it won't recoil. I have wire that was under some good loads on good inclines on the weekend and I had all the faith in my winch and wire rope. Going through mud, over rocks I don't think the plasma would last the distance :study: . Saying that, I am thinking of entering a few amatuer winch challeges :viking: run by clubs, one of them has set a rule of NO WIRE ROPE. Makes me think that a man now has to keep two winchs for his truck, one with wire and one with plasma :scratch:
Al

wjw · Post by **wjw** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:05 pm

albundy wrote:one with wire and one with plasma :scratch:
Al

Its not hard to take on and off, just need something to wrap them onto.

mudhaw · Post by **mudhaw** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:36 pm

The only advantage I have found with wire is the price.
As for life of plasma you can also get it in over brade witch is uv resistant and does not need washing. ($18 per metre)
Also plasma does recoil when it brakes, but what would you rather be hit with a nice soft flufy rope or a rusty peice of steel
The only big disadvantage with plasma is low mount winches with the brake in the drum, as winching out against the brake heats up the drum and melts the rope (free spool is a must)
After competing in half a dozen winch comps with plasma I dont miss the steel stabing me in the hand even through leather gloves

Dion

albundy · Post by **albundy** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:39 pm

The only big disadvantage with plasma is low mount winches with the brake in the drum, as winching out against the brake heats up the drum and melts the rope

Well then that is that then, wire it is.
Al

Shane · Post by **Shane** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:02 pm

I thought you could buy plasma with the first few meters had a protective heat type coating/cover so it can be used on low mounts???

needswork · Post by **needswork** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:06 pm

good comments here, but remember Plasma is subject to damage due to heat caused by friction so you need to take care with blocks, fair leads and rubbing on the ground, trees and other things that the rope could get dragged over.
Once it is overheated it is stuffed.

mudhaw · Post by **mudhaw** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:13 pm

Might pay to ring around a few places that sell it and ask, We get our overe brade from a place down south

mudhaw · Post by **mudhaw** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:32 pm

Never had problems with rubing on the ground or snatch blocks.
But roller fair leeds can cause problems if there are big spaces where the the rope can rub on sharp edges
The biggest damage comes from mud getting into the rope (non overbrade)
and braking strands on the inside, this sort of plasma we only use for 2 comps before in gets demoted to club runs or a spear

minicruiser · Post by **minicruiser** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:54 am

Thanks for the feed back. We have plasma on the truck, and as i'm the wife usally pulling the rope I will never go back to wire. I just thought someone may have read and article on Plasma versus Wire and could point me in the right direction. I have scouted through hundreds of 4 x 4 mags but to no avail.